§ Mr. Fosterasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps are being taken to substitute mechanical haulage in place of horses or ponies at present being used for this purpose in British coalmines.
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe tendency in recent years has been to substitute mechanical for horse or pony haulage, and this is reflected in the decrease in 1245W the number of horses and ponies employed from 64,816 in 1924 to 24,530 in 1944. It is the policy of my Ministry to encourage such substitution where it is justified in the interests of efficient working. The question of haulage arrangements generally is being considered by the Technical Advisory Committee.